University to participate in mock disaster exercise

Jun 10, 2013From staff reports

Emergency response agencies from the city of Athens, Athens County and Ohio University will be participating in a full-scale, functional exercise of a disaster scenario from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, on East State Street.

THIS IS ONLY AN EXERCISE. People in the area of East State Street from Home Street and east to the city limits may see emergency service vehicles in the area as well as emergency workers performing life safety and rescue operations tactics on real people. Please do not be alarmed. This type of exercise is mandatory for Athens County this year. There will be signage in the area informing the public that a "mock exercise" is taking place.

For its role in this exercise, Ohio University will utilize the scenario in a tabletop exercise and will also participate at the County's Emergency Operations Center.

"Collaborating with our city and county partners during mock disasters helps us prepare for real emergencies that occur. This type of training is invaluable," said Jill Harris, emergency programs manager at Ohio University.